Cole Palmer is the blue-eyed boy of English football at the moment. The 23-year-old Chelsea player has scored 50 goals in 141 matches in his club career so far, with 43 in 97 appearances for Chelsea.
Palmer has emerged as the best No. 10 in English football, even keeping in mind Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid. However, as he can also play as a right-winger, he might have to alter his playing position next season.
How New Signing Could Impact Cole Palmer
The Royal Blues are looking to sign Xavi Simons this summer. The young Dutchman has excelled in a playmaker’s role in recent times. Now, should Palmer continue to play as the No. 10, there will be no room for Simons in the playing XI.
Simons has played well for RB Leipzig in recent times. Enzo Maresca should be eager to accommodate him some playing time, but for that he will have to push Palmer to the right flank and Pedro Neto to the bench
With Noni Madueke having moved to Arsenal, Chelsea do not have too many options to play on the right flank.
Palmer should be able to do a nice job even on the right flank, but one would expect him to prefer playing in the central position. This is a sacrifice he might have to make for the interest of his team.
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Reminiscent of Zinedine Zidane
Zidane was an excellent playmaker for the French national team, and preferred to play as a central attacking midfielder.
However, at the European Championships in 2000, which France won in the end, Zidane played on the right flank at times to accommodate Patrick Vieira and Didier Deschamps in central midfield in a 4-4-2.
When Thierry Henry, one of France’s strikers in the tournament, shifted to the left flank, only then did Zidane have the opportunity to play as the No. 10, with Vieira and Deschamps in the double-pivot.
Zidane had to make the same adjustment while playing for Real Madrid at times as well, as Guti and Claude Makelele played in the central midfield, leaving Zidane and Luis Figo to play on the flanks.
Therefore, Palmer can consider himself to be in good company should he be needed to make such adjustments. He is undoubtedly the most important player for Chelsea, just like Zidane was for France.
Chelsea Should Have High Ambitions for Next Season
The Blues have won the Club World Cup and the UEFA Conference League in 2025, which should seriously fuel their title ambitions. Palmer played a key role in both of those tournaments.
They also have the advantage of going below the radar somewhat, as most football-lovers are busy speculating how the next season will pan out for Liverpool and Arsenal.
If Chelsea are able to make a good start to the season, they might find themselves contending for the title as well.
But for that to happen, Palmer will have to shine for them. It remains to be seen whether he is able to do that while playing as the No. 10, though.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo
Recording Date: 08.08.2025